BUFFALO, NY - The Villa Maria Vikings learned from mistakes they made in their first matchup with Point Park University, but despite improved play at both ends of the court, the Pioneers edged out the Vikings 83-72 Tuesday night at the Villa Athletic Center.

The Pioneers, members of the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, improved to 7-4 with the win wile the Vikings fell to 4-8.  The Vikings were within two, 45-43 at halftime and led by two in the early stages of the second half, but the Pioneers used a 14-0 run to jump out to a 73-57 lead.  It wound up being too much for the Vikings to overcome.

The Vikings held the Pioneers to just 2-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc in the first half and made five triples of their own on the offensive end.  Despite allowing the Pioneers to shoot 55.9 percent from the field in the half, they kept it close on the boards (21-20) and used the long ball to stay in the game.  Junior guard Andre Diggs (Bronx, NY/Erie Community) who finished with 15 points, knocked down a 30-footer as the first half buzzer sounded to get Villa within two.

After Point Park opened the second half scoring, Diggs connected on two consecutive triples to give the Vikings and 49-47 lead.  They led led 51-49 with 15:59 left after freshman Darius Huggins (Buffalo, NY/Lackawanna) put home a two-hand slam.  Minutes later, Huggins - who finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds, his eighth consecutive game in double-figures - tied the game at 54 with another slam.  Point Park then rattled off the 14-0 run moments later.

Freshman Donte Campbell (Buffalo, NY/Huch Tech) led the Vikings with 18 points off the bench, while sophomore Justin Stokes (Buffalo, NY/Middle Early College) chipped in 12 and 4 assists.  Diggs also finished with four assists to go along with eight rebounds.  Sophomore point guard Jayson Moore (Amherst, NY/Sweet Home) dished out six assists as well.

The Vikings' bench outscored that of the Pioneers 33-15 and also had 15 second-chance points to Point Park's 12.  The Vikings are back in action on Wednesday at home against the University of Maine at Fort Kent.  Tip is slated for 7:30 p.m.